They did, the USS Princeton and the Big Ben Franklin were attacked by D4Ys, both knocked out of the fight, the Princeton scuttled.
The flutter issue, combined with terribly unreliable Atsuta engines made the D4Y a bit of a dog in service, but the improved D4Y3 with the Kinsei was an improvement...
The Japanese were genuinely astounded at the lengths that the Allies went to retrieving downed airmen, but that doesn't mean they didn't care; the IJN did not have dedicated air sea rescue operations, but floatplanes with regular operational units were often tasked with rescuing downed pilots...
It is. There were a few FM-2s, but that one was the only F4F, a treat to see it fly. Go Grumman.
_ADP0892
_ADP0902
_ADP7953
_ADP8367
_ADP9134
Five FM-2s!
_ADP0966
A beautiful Lockheed Electra, this guy always makes an appearance and steals the show.
ADP_3876
ADP_3880
ADP_3882
ADP_3892
ADP_3898
ADP_3900
ADP_3903
ADP_3913
ADP_3916
Fabulous Yak-3 was giving joy rides all day.
ADP_3238
ADP_3244
ADP_3252
ADP_3441
ADP_3449
ADP_3459...
Hi Guys, It's been awhile since I was here, but here are some relevant photos I took at the Healthy Bastards Bush Flying Champs at Omaka airfield, Blenheim, New Zealand in February. Harvard having a smoky go.
ADP_3790
ADP_3799
ADP_3802
ADP_3826
ADP_3849
ADP_3852
ADP_3855
ADP_3870...
Funny you should say that, because the Blenheim was the first all-metal stressed skin aircraft that the Avro work force had mass produced. It had a greater influence on Manchester/Lancaster production than is often recognised. When Avro first built the Blenheim under licence, the most modern...
Interesting conversation here. A couple of things that no one here has cottoned on to, but are worth mentioning. Regarding the lack of armour plating and self sealing tanks in the Zero, Japanese ethos was the issue, as well as timing. Yes, the US Navy and AAF was right to emphasise the lack of...